rblog

Author: Eric Schlosser
Amazon info

This book surprised me. I was mostly expecting horror stories about how bad fast food is for you due to calorie content and nutrional value. But what this book is really about is how the enormous growth of the fast food industry - e.g. no waiters, no dishes to clean - has impacted the way that food is produced in this country and the many ripple effects of those changes. The book outlines the rise of fast food restaurants, starting with the growth of the highway system. The restaurants that sprang up along the roads - the car-hops of the 50s - were extremely popular, but the McDonald brothers realized that they could dramatically save costs by eliminating the waiters (waitresses in those days) and dish washers (and dishes) by switching to the "fast food" system. And an industry was born. Now a gigantic industry that requires foods on a massive scale - especially beef and potatoes. The book details the production process for these - and the beef production (e.g. turning millions of live cattle into hamburger) is especially concerning. But this book does not slam McDonald's too much, but rather recognizes and demonstrates that McDonald's is far more effective at getting suppliers to change practices than legislation. This is seen most clearly in McDonald's demands on suppliers to eliminate/reduce the risk of Mad Cow Disease (BSE). Of course, the author would want McDonald's to do even more - e.g. improving the conditions for workers in slaughterhouses - but on the whole, it is a reasonably balanced book (this is coming from the mouth of a MCD shareholder - although the book did make me think about selling my shares - but since I bought them based on MCD salads, which weren't in place when the book was written, I haven't sold).

Intersting their are very clear parallels between this book and the book I just finished ("The Wal-Mart Effect"). Both Wal-Mart and McDonald's are companies with enormous power - that could be used to advance social goals, but often isn't. The debate about free market vs. the need for government regulation continues :). I think many people would like the free market to "just take care of it", but I think the evidence is mounting that it just doesn't work like that (it's too bad it doesn't, but it doesn't).

Recommended for all - excellent historical value and enlightening look at the industry today.